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Sterna albifrons (Pallas 1764), Little Tern (Lariidae)
Compiled by Christof Herrmann, Henrik Skov & Wlodzimierz Meissner
1. Description of the Habitat/Autecology of the species
The main breeding habitat in the Baltic Sea are undisturbed, sandy beaches.
2. Distribution, past and presence
The subspecies S. albifrons albifrons breeds from western Europe to NW Africa and SW Asia. It’s European breeding population is relatively small (35,000- 55,000 breeding pairs). The general European population trend is declining, and the same seems to be true for the Baltic Sea (BirdLife International 2004).
The actual Baltic breeding population is in the range of 2,600 – 3,300 breeding pairs.
Baltic Population:
| Country | Current breeding population | Population trend | Remarks |
| Denmark | 450-750 | Declining | Includes both North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts |
| Estonia | 300-500 | Increasing | |
| Finland | 45-55 | Stable | |
| Germany | 200 | Declining | |
| Latvia | (150-200) | Declining | |
| Lithuania | 150-200 | Stable | |
| Poland | 900 | Declining | |
| Russia, Kaliningrad Region | ? | ? | |
| Russia, St Petersburg, Pskov and Novgorod districts | ? | ? | |
| Sweden | 400-500 | Stable | |
| Baltic Sea | 2,600-3,300 | Moderate decline | |
(Data from: Grell, 1998; Hälterlein et al., 2000; BirdLife International, 2004, Winiecki, 2004)
3. Importance (Sub-regional, Baltic-wide, Global)
Since the European population as well as the Baltic population are small, the currently observed moderate declining population trend gives reasons for concern.
4. Status of threat/decline
Declines in Denmark, Germany and Poland (Grell, 1998; Hälterlein et al., 2000; BirdLife International, 2004, Winiecki, 2004).
5. Threat/decline factors
The declines are based on habitat deterioration due to recreational activities and increases in predators (foxes, mink, Grell, 1998; Hälterlein et al., 2000).
6. Options for improvements
Predator control and protection of breeding areas against tourism (especially islands with restricted access).
7. References
BirdLife International (2004): Birds in Europe. Population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife Conservation series 12, Cambridge, UK. 374 pp.
Grell, M.B. (1998). Fuglenes Danmark. GAD, København.
Hälterlein, B., Südbeck, P., Knief, W. & Köppen, U. (2000). Brutbestandentwicklung der Küstenvögel an Nord- und Ostsee unter besondere Berücksichtigung der 1990er Jahre. Vogelwelt 121: 241-267.
Winiecki, A. 2004. Sterna albifrons (Pall., 1764) – rybitwa bialoczelna. W: Gromadzki, M. (ed.). Ptaki (część I). Poradniki ochrony siedlisk i gatunków Natura 2000 – podręcznik metodyczny. Ministerstwo Środowiska, Warszawa. 7: 195-198.